Larissa set her own mug down, straightening her shoulders as if preparing for battle.
“Fine,” she said, a hint of her usual sharpness returning to her voice.“You want honesty?I’m attracted to you, Malcolm.More than I’ve ever been to anyone.And it terrifies me.”
Malcolm’s eyebrows shot up at her blunt admission.“Why does it scare you?”
Larissa stood, needing to move as the words poured out of her.“Because it complicates everything!We’re supposed to be rivals, competing for the good of the pack.I can’t afford to be distracted by…byfeelings.”
She spat the last word out like it was distasteful, pacing the length of Malcolm’s living room.Her wolf was restless, wanting to run, to howl.
Malcolm watched her for a few seconds before standing as well.He approached slowly, as if afraid she might bolt.
As if she was a wild animal.
When he was close enough to touch her, he stopped.
“Did you ever consider,” he said softly, waiting to continue until she met his gaze, “that maybe these feelings aren’t a distraction?That maybe they’re showing us something important?”
She couldn’t answer.But she was done waiting, done denying the sizzling current that crackled between them.
With a swift motion, she pressed her palms against his chest and pushed him back onto the sofa.Malcolm’s eyes widened in surprise, but before he could react, Larissa straddled his lap and captured his mouth in a searing kiss.
His lips were firm yet pliant against hers.
Larissa’s mind reeled.This is madness, she thought.We’re supposed to be rivals, not…this.
But her body had other ideas.Her tongue swept into Malcolm’s mouth, exploring and tasting.He groaned, the sound vibrating through her.
“What—” Malcolm breathed when they briefly parted for air.
She silenced him with another kiss, her fingers tangling in his hair.
Strategy be damned, Larissa decided.For once, she would let instinct guide her.
Suddenly, Malcolm’s strong hands gripped her waist, and in one fluid motion, he flipped their positions.He pinned Larissa beneath his muscular frame, and she gasped, her breath catching in her throat.
“My turn,” Malcolm growled with a primal intensity that sent chills racing across her skin.
Before Larissa could respond, his mouth claimed hers in a fierce, demanding kiss.Gone was any trace of hesitation or surprise.Malcolm kissed her like a man starved, his passion igniting a fire deep within her core.
Oh god, Larissa thought, her mind spinning.He tastes like danger and desire.
Malcolm’s tongue delved into her mouth, exploring and teasing with a skill that left her breathless.He traced the curve of her lips, then tangled with her own tongue in a sensual dance.
Larissa moaned softly, her body arching involuntarily against his.Her hands roamed over his broad back, feeling the powerful muscles flex beneath her touch.
“We shouldn’t—” she gasped when they parted for air.
“Shouldn’t what?”he murmured, his breath hot against her ear.“Give in to what we both want?”
His tongue traced a searing path along her jawline, then returned to capture her lips once more.Larissa’s protests died in her throat as she surrendered to his kiss.
As Malcolm’s mouth worked its magic, he slid one hand up under her sweater and across her breast, cupping the soft flesh through her bra, brushing his thumb over her nipple, teasing it to a hard peak.
Larissa gasped, arching into his touch.
He grinned against her lips.“Like that, do you?”He continued his tantalizing exploration, his touch sending sparks of pleasure coursing through her body.
Determined not to let him have all the control, Larissa nipped at his bottom lip, then pushed against his chest.With a swift move born from years of training, she managed to flip their positions once more.
